Verified answer

I think this is the manual: http://sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/fristerpand... but the usual reasons for "can't pick up the bobbin thread" are that the needle is in backwards (flat of the needle shank should be to the back of the machine), the needle isn't up in the clamp all the way, the bobbin case is incorrectly threaded, or the needle is damaged. Try a brand new size 12/80 needle right way around, and see if that fixes it. If it doesn't, you can compare the timing of your machine to: http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Sewing... but if the timing is off, I'd encourage you to have the machine properly timed and professionally cleaned and lubricated.

Don't forget to clean all the stray bits of thread and lint out before you start trying to see what's going on.

Here's a "recipe" of how to fix virtually everything on a sewing machine that a user can, without knowing the cause of the problem: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200909...

The seam starting sequence in that also will help prevent thread jams, like you see in the last pair of photos here: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/2252155...

Frister And Rossmann Sewing Machines